Alpha Omega II Proprietary Red

Alpha Omega II Proprietary Red is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Napa Valley red blend at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Shaped by celebrated winemakers Jean Hoefliger and Michel Rolland, this expression bridges opulent New World fruit with the structured acidity and elegance of European winemaking tradition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Style: Proprietary Red Blend  |  Winery: Alpha Omega (Rutherford AVA)

Production & Heritage

Alpha Omega was founded in 2006 in the heart of Napa Valley's Rutherford AVA. The "II" (Two Squared) expression is a collaboration between winemakers Jean Hoefliger and Michel Rolland — the latter one of the most influential consulting oenologists in the world. The 2021 vintage is blended from 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot, with fruit sourced from five distinct Napa sub-appellations: Atlas Peak, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll, and Spring Mountain. Aging takes place over twelve months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new. The winemaking team specifically selects fruit from younger Napa Valley vineyards that display a silky tannin profile and opulent texture, allowing the wine to drink well upon release without extended cellaring.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an explosion of fresh cherries and bramble berries before revealing layers of violets, blueberry, and strawberry rhubarb. Deeper inhales uncover hints of marzipan, graphite, vanilla bean, and blonde roast coffee with a subtle suggestion of tarragon spice.

Taste: On the palate, this is a medium-to-full-bodied wine with assertive fruit at the entry — cherry, raspberry, and blackberry lead the charge. The mid-palate broadens with notes of dry earth, toasted French oak, and crème de cassis, while maintaining well-integrated tannins and balanced acidity. There is a subtle chocolate undertone that emerges as the wine opens up in the glass.

Finish: The finish is long and lightly smoky, with lingering dark fruit and a graphite minerality that keeps pulling you back. Tannins resolve smoothly, reinforcing the wine's approachable yet structured character.

How to Drink Alpha Omega II

This blend rewards drinking at cellar temperature (around 60–65°F), ideally after 20–30 minutes of decanting to let the aromatics fully develop. It drinks beautifully on its own alongside a meal. For a classic pairing, serve it with grilled ribeye — the wine's tannin structure and dark fruit echo the richness of charred beef. It also complements braised lamb shank, where the wine's earthy undertones meet slow-cooked savory depth. A cheese course featuring aged Gruyère or Comté highlights the wine's subtle nuttiness and oak-driven complexity.

Best For

• Hosting a dinner party centered on grilled or roasted red meats
• Gifting a Napa Valley wine enthusiast who appreciates Cabernet-forward blends
• Building a weeknight-to-weekend collection with a wine that doesn't require years of cellaring
• Exploring the collaborative winemaking style of Jean Hoefliger and Michel Rolland

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Alpha Omega II taste like? Alpha Omega II delivers rich cherry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit layered with dry earth, toasted oak, crème de cassis, and a subtle smoky chocolate quality. It is medium-to-full-bodied with balanced acidity and silky, approachable tannins.

How does Alpha Omega II compare to Double Diamond? Both are Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds designed for earlier drinking, but Alpha Omega II leans into a multi-appellation blend with Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot adding complexity, while Double Diamond from Schrader Cellars focuses on a more single-minded Oakville Cabernet expression. Alpha Omega II's twelve months in 30% new French oak also creates a more restrained oak influence than many comparably priced Napa reds.

Is Alpha Omega II good for everyday drinking? Yes — the winemakers specifically source fruit from younger vineyards to achieve a silky tannin profile and opulent texture that make this wine accessible upon release. It does not require extended cellaring to enjoy, though it rewards a brief decant before serving.

Where is Alpha Omega II made? Alpha Omega II is produced at the Alpha Omega winery in the Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley, California. The fruit is sourced from five Napa sub-appellations: Atlas Peak, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll, and Spring Mountain.

What foods pair well with Alpha Omega II? Grilled ribeye steak mirrors the wine's dark fruit intensity and tannic backbone. Braised lamb shank complements its earthy undertones and French oak spice. Aged hard cheeses like Gruyère or Comté highlight the wine's nutty, toasty qualities. Mushroom risotto pairs naturally with the graphite and earth notes on the mid-palate. Dark chocolate desserts echo the wine's subtle cocoa finish.

What sizes does Alpha Omega II come in? Alpha Omega II Proprietary Red is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Alpha Omega II worth the price? Alpha Omega II positions as a mid-tier Napa Valley proprietary red — accessible enough for regular enjoyment but carrying the pedigree of a winery helmed by two internationally recognized winemakers. For a multi-appellation Napa Cabernet blend with French oak aging, it represents solid value within its category.

Why Alpha Omega II?

The defining strength of this wine is the partnership behind it: Jean Hoefliger, Alpha Omega's resident winemaker, and Michel Rolland, one of Bordeaux's most sought-after consultants, intentionally designed the II blend to fuse Napa Valley's generous fruit with European-inflected structure and acidity. Sourcing from five distinct sub-appellations — ranging from the high elevation of Atlas Peak to the valley floor of Oak Knoll — gives the blend a layered complexity that single-vineyard wines at this tier often cannot achieve. The restrained use of new French oak (30%) keeps the fruit in the foreground rather than burying it under vanilla and toast. For drinkers who want a serious Napa red without the austerity that demands years of patience, Alpha Omega II delivers immediately and confidently.